Combat Zone, the

The city's "adult entertainment district," located between Downtown Crossing and Chinatown, more or less. The porno places are now almost entirely gone, and the "combat" these days are mostly between developers and Chinatown residents who don't want to be displaced by expensive condos planned for the area's rundown buildings.Chris Gassler

Being an ol' Tennessee boy, after my discharge from four years as a USAF medical corpsman, I returned home to Chattanooga in late '70 to discover, "you can't go home." After a year's floundering about, I took a job as a traveling children's promotional photographer. I immediately picked up where I'd left off, partying my brains out, all over the nation. Living out of a suitcase, traveling on the road is an education. By the time I hit Boston, (New England) area, summer of '72, I was indoctrinated to the travel'in life. The old "combat zone", re:Washington St., was an education. Actually sweet youthful lustfulness! I was shacking up with a stripper tagged, "Tia Del Rio", traveled up from the Baltimore Burlesque at a hotel that skirted the commons, frequented by these ladies. Tia was a "high yellow" hispanic/negro mix, and the star of the show at the "Two O'Clock Club!" After, she returned to Baltimore, I had a escapade with her English friend for a couple of weeks. We'd cruise down to the Four Seasons, Chinese resturant after the clubs closing. Fun, sweet memories of a misspent youth!! In those days, as long as you knew the score, minded your own business, and watched your ass, you were in no danger. Someday I'll revisit the town,.. never forgotten it.

In the late '60s, a nightclub musician in the Boston area was said to have earned his wings when he had played a gig at least once, in each of these four Washington Street venues: The Downtown, Jerome's, The Intermission, and The Pink Pussycat. They are probably all gone now, as I have heard that the Combat Zone itself no longer exists. And Yes, I earned my wings.

Boston's old combat zone evokes many a fond memory of a place when one could get lost in the seediness of the "Red Light District". Unlike the fictional" Cheers" most of the bars along lower Washington St were places where nobody wanted to know your name.If you bought a washed-out stripper an eight dollar glass of tea, and expected to find romance you just joined the suckers club.Any attempt at a cheap feel would result in a quick trip out the door,with or without your wallet. The "King of Pizza" at the corner of Washington and Boylston was my idea of haute cuisine. I spent some of my finest hours at the Pilgrim Theater sneaking in cans of Schlitz and drooling over the strippers when the act took to the blanket for the last performance of the set. Lower Washington Street you may be gone but you will never be forgotten.

I was a headliner stripper at the 2'oclock club in the early 70's I worked for the Venus brothers, also the Pilgrim Theatre and Jeromes The Intermission and the Pink Pussycat. I have some amazing stories that many people don't know about those Venus brothers, I was pretty well known. I had long red hair I was 18yrs old I was also known as Panama Red. I dated some of the Allman Brothers band, Cat Stevens, Mick Fleetwood just to name a few who came to my shows when they were in town. I would love to hear from someone that was around then. I am now 53yrs old, I am a student finishing my degree in Behavorial Science.I had some loyal fans...Love, Panama

During the early 1970,s, myself and a friend used to travel from Lewiston, Maine to hang out in the combat zone. Many dancers from Boston used to dance at the Hotel Holly in Lewiston. "BE JOLLY AT THE HOLLY" I look back nostalgically at these years. Panama, did you ever dance at the Holly and whatever happened to Lady Tangerine??

this is a note to Panama Red: I was a waitress at the Two O'clock, 1969-1973. (It was still the Downtown Lounge, not a strip club, in the first part of those years.) (I actually was a go-go dancer for a couple of months at the old Garden of Eden across the street, early summer 1969, the place downstairs, next to the King of Pizza; they had go-go dancers between strip shows -- that was before the stripping was all nude, and then they changed the club?s name. By then I was waitressing at the Downtown.) I do remember you, in the roster of strippers at the club, though we didn't know each other, rarely spoke. (It surprises me now, in recollection, that we never did get high together ? ah! in the Ladies Room, that safe repose. So many of us ? waitresses and strippers ? got high there every night; it transformed the nature of the job.) Do you remember some of the other strippers -- Sequin, Kelly Collins, Lee Miles? The manager Larry? I?d love to hear your stories about the Venus brothers. An image of Teddy is crystal clear in my mind, to this day ... You probably don't remember the waitresses; we were our own little group -- working with the strippers, of course, to help you sell champagne, so you'd get commission and we'd get tips ... That time in my life still remains pivotal for me, in a non-linear-time sort of way -- though I long left it far behind and have moved through many other territories since ... I'm 55 now, work at a center for homeless women, on the West Coast ... Congratulations on getting your degree! ... I'd love to be in touch to talk more ... You can write me initially at: [email protected]. I use that address only occasionally, can cancel it if I start to get unwanted mail ... To anyone else reading this who remembers the CZ in those days: interesting, isn?t it, to think about how many different worlds there were, there, how many different realities, depending who we were, what part we played ...

My dad was the manager of the Intermission Lounge forever. It's nice to see others appreciative when reflecting back on the good ol'days.Despite all the stuff you've read and heard - during it's heyday, the Combat Zone was no more dangerous than it is now. When it really became dangerous is in the late 80s when the city pushed the busineeses out. Then the city was left with blocks of boarded up desolated blocks of nothing. This is when the crackheads and prositiutes became a mjor problem. The city could have doen a lot more to patrol it and clean it up, but they didn't. Blame the city.The people that worked in and owned the strip joints, bars, book stores, and other places were mostly all hard working individuals trying to make a living. We paid our taxes and contributed to society. Employees of the adult entertainment industry were always looked at oddly or with many preconceptions.This puritanical backwards city of Boston will always be a minor league city. No adult entertainment, no convention business = fact.

I began dancing at the Mousetrap & then for some reason went to the Intermission but ended back at the Mousetrap for 4 years. That chapter of my life began around 1974. I was 21 - I had a few different names - Hedy Jo Star called me Foxy & that stayed for awhile until I changed it to Julie Jordan was also known as Miss Bicentennial- I wish I had kept a diary back then - still I have quite a story to tell. I was a nice Jewish girl from Brookline. Daughter of a deli owner. Just trying everything. Prior to becoming a dancer I was actually living on the top of a mountain in Colorado in an Indian tipi I had built with my boyfiend. In fact I hadn't shaved my legs in a year when I began dancing. I actually went on stage my 1st night unshaven because I figured I'd never take the dancing job - Sharky was the manager - I was close friends with Onyx (transvestite), Anne Marie, Vanessa & others. I still own my Hedy Jo Starr Bicentennial costume!I've lived many chapters since then. I am 53 years old & would love to connect with anyone from those days! [email protected]

I am a novelist in Boston. I have published one novel. A second will be published in January 2007. (There is some information about me at www.williamlanday.com.)I am now working on a novel set in the Combat Zone in the early 1970s, and I would like to learn as much as humanly possible about the Zone.I would like to speak with anyone who worked or hung around in the Combat Zone in the 1960s or 1970s, or who knows about the Zone for any other reason (cops, visitors, etc.).If you have stories to tell about the old Combat Zone, please e-mail me at [email protected] -- I would love to hear from anyone who can educate me about this lost place. No detail is too small to be of interest to me.Thank you.Bill

I'm writing a crime novel that takes place primarily in Providence, ca. 1972. One scene, though, takes place in Boston at the Pink Pussy Cat. I need a description of what the exterior and the interior of the building looked like around 1972. Also, the name of a few other places nearby. Thanks.

I was one of the house organists 7 nights-a-week (and 7 days-a-week) starting out at the Picadilly with drummer Lenny Nelson and next worked at the World Famous 2 O'Clock for the Venus Brothers. "Andy" (day-time organ player) had me sit in and then split and didn't come back. That's how I came to inherit that gig. Eventually I played at The Mouse Trap and Teddy Bear and was the last organist at The Caribbe on Tremont before they switched to jukebox only.After-hours I often went to Devon's restaurant on Washington (can't remember the name of it at the moment)..The Villa that was it! which was like a Fellini Movie every night.A Big Hello to all my old Combat Zone colleagues and friends from the old Living Room, Intermission, Jerome's, 2 O'Clock etc.!The last of an Era. I'm surprised there is not more written about the Combat Zone scene. I had one of those giant bottles of horrible Champagne for a hat-stand for years that somebody probably paid about 400 bucks for.It was another world and it's finished now but I can say that it was for me a good place to get my music chops real strong and play danceable music which serves me well today.If the Strippers didn't like a tune they would let you know about it right away, usually by coming over to the organ and saying "I can't dance to that!" I saw everything from behind the organ and nothing at all.Now I am a radio broadcaster with my own daily AM radio show during drive-time in Northern California.A lot of women took their clothes off to my music, some for their first time and others were veteran Strippers. When the shows were smokin' and we had a good night there was a lot of inter-action between the the Musicians and Dancers/Strippers. Definitely an "Art Form" and atmosphere that doesn't exist anywhere anymore.Eventually the club owners decided to fire the musicians, even though there were usually only 2 onstage (Hammond Organ and Drums...at the 2 O'Clock we had Tenor Sax and sometimes Trumpet nights)...we were replaced by Jukeboxes and then that was the beginning of the end.The shows were never the same without the live musicians. Those of you who worked in the Zone know what I'm talking about I'm sure. We all used to come down there and have a drink or two after they let us go for a while but the dancers pretty much just walked after the bands exited. Mixing was a big part of the scene there. Some of my friends who were the best mixers could drink 50 or 60 drinks a night.I'm sure Teddy of the Venus Brothers and Arthur and all those guys are long dead and gone for a long time, it was over 30 years ago. I'll say one thing for those old guys, they always paid me on Friday and I never had to count the dough.Jon Hammond"The FINGERS...are the SINGERS!"

In the early seventies I worked in or around the zone. For a summer I had the part time job of running the light on/in the main large room.. Later I worked the overhead light in the 2nd room. The over light was set up just off the upstairs dressing room.The girls would ask for a certain color gel blue red or pink tones. It was all important to some. There was one older stripper who insisted on blue which made her look like an old Marlene Detrich. She seemed to live in that character.I was working a batch of shit jobs to make ends meet..most of the girls were nice some were headcase cokeheads with baggageThere was a MC a little Vegas type.He called the houseband the firehouse five minus two or something similar to that..He would announce the girls as the came and went off stage. One I remember was"Direct from Revere Please Welcome Miss Sandy Beach"...Some head liners were Melaine..Jeri Deen.I think most of those there were just passing through.

Wow! I just found this site and boy did it bring back memories. I traveled with a stripper whose agent, Sol Goodman, out of baltimore booked her in a different city every week. When we got to Boston I told her Since I couldn't get a job when we were in a different city every week we were going to stay in Boston.Her first gig in the combat Zone was at the Pilgrim theater. I got a job tending bar at Jerome's. After working there for a few weeks I told the owner, Louie Venus, that I needed to go back to Chicago for a week. Before returning to Boston I called Louie to confirm that I still had my job. He said "OK 'Chicago John'" and the nickname "Chicago John" stayed with me for the next several years that I worked in the Combat Zone. Most of the people in the Zone never knew my full name. I was just known as Chicago John.In addition to Jerome's, I also worked at the 2:00 Oclock club, the Mouse Trap and the Silver Dollar. My girfirnd, at that time, worked in all of the clubs I did in addition to working the Intermission, the Teddy Bear, and the Picadilly. The dancers changed clubs more often then then the bartenders.I have many fond memories of my time working in the Combat Zone. For the most part, the people I worked with were good people contrary to the impression many people had of us."Chicago John"[email protected]

circi 1970-1972I was a prepie stuck in mass. and would take the bus on saturday mornings going to Boston. I remember walking through the combat zone early on those mornings.Being fron Nebraska that area had a strange,dangerous,but fascinating feel to it.I would walk it for hours and could not fully participate as I was 15 years old.I remember the hookers, pimps,and drug dealers. Some people were spacey and some definitely had a city type rudeness that I never forgot. But thats what probably gave that district its name.Its nice and interesting reading about the dancers stories.I wish I could have been older to meet you. Thanks for the memories.

I used to visit the Combat Zone frequently in the early '70s and I remember Panama Red, Princess Cheyenne, and many other girls well, though most of their names escape me now. Many of them were sultry and beautiful!I even remember seeing Congressman Wilbur C. Mills being fondled by the Argentine Firecracker at the Pilgrim Theater... Those were really the days!

In late 1963, at 17, I began working at Jerold's Mens Shop on Washington St. across the street from Raymond's Dept Store and a couple of blocks from the Intermission, Jerome's etc. -the gateway to the Combat Zone - where I remained until 1967.During that time I became one with the area - it was my home - it's inhabitants were my customers, my friends, my confidants. The transvestites, the hookers, the musicians, the cops, the business owners, the strippers.Jerold's was where the musicians came to buy there "band uniforms" brocade bolero jackets, shiny high waisted pants and purple ruffled shirts and I was the guy they came to - being a musician myself i "understood" their stage requirements and outfitted some of the best - Roger Pace and the Pacemakers, The Hot Tamales, Dario and the Rainbows Steve Colt and the 45s, the 7 Epics...the list goes on.To this day the greatest entertainer I have ever seen was Roger Pace and the best band I ever heard was the Hot Tamales - the Tamales were an all black group that played primarily at Izzy Ort's Golden Nugget - a place where a shooting was just part of the evenings festivities.I spent many an evening there listening to the Tamales do Impressions songs and they all harmonized and played their instruments Butch on bass, Frenchie on Trumpet - These men were all pimps as well...that's they way it was - good guys with good women who were all forced to live that way - Butch's wife was a hooker - these were good people who society had forced into that way of making a living - I saw it first hand.For instance-Jerold's had just received a shipment of short sleeved matching bright electric blue jackets and pants that I knew would be perfect for the Tamales - I called Butch, who was their leader, and asked him to come in to see them, he did and loved them. Unfortunately he told me that colored (that's what they were then) groups were not allowed to wear short sleeves in the clubs (and that was at the Nugget) as it showed to much of their black skin. It opened up the beginning of my understanding of their racial plight.Several years later, when I had moved to New York,I saw the Tamales perform in Harlem at Small's Paradise. Does anyone know what happened to them?Roger Pace- the white James Brown- packed the Intermission every night for years - leaving occasionally to go back to play a club in Baltimore. Roger who stormed the stage like an atom bomb and continued exploding for 40 minutes 5 or six times a night. I Feel Good - Jesus we all felt good when Roger was on stage with his skeleton of a bass player Jimmy Gregory, his great guitar player Bobby Simone, the soulful tenor of Arnie Barry and the fattest fat back you ever heard played by Denny Ward - what a group - stepping and dancing as Roger spun and split grabbed his sax and played along sat in on drums, danced though the Intermission out the door the band following him as the continued singing and playing crossing Washington st storming Jeromes or one of other other clubs and coming back to the Intermission with new customers following and dancing - what a time!I fell in love with an Intermission waitress named Mary Scott - we had some time together- wow.

I remember the Combat Zone in the early 80s when I was 16-17. I was from a small town in southeastern Mass., and had never been to the zone, but I had heard stories from classmates about their adventures there.My first trip there was with 2 friends, and we were in search of fake IDs. We got scammed by a guy we met in front of an x-rated bookstore; he asked us if we needed IDs (I guess he could smell us a mile away). He walked us around the neon-lit streets and explained in detail how we'd get our "real registry" IDs (he had a friend who worked for the registry, so we'd get the real IDs) He brought us into the back room of the Naked I through a side door, asked for $20 from each of us small-town boys, and said he'd be back in a minute to take us to get our pictures taken. Of course he never returned - ah, valuable life lessons learned in the zone.We continued strolling the zone admiring the seediness of the streets, the porn shops and the prostitutes, undaunted by the scam. I felt like a "made" city-guy after that evening.We were lucky enough to get into the Naked I about 2 months later without IDs via a $20 bribe to the doorman, this was my first time in a strip club, and I remember the absolutely beautiful dancer, I think it was Princess Cheyenne (I remember the Indian headdress, and long legs), what a great dancer.I lived and worked in Manhattan from 88-95 while working for Bear Stearns, and I've travelled a lot to many cities over the past 20 years, and have never seen a place with the same character and unique characteristics as the Combat Zone. I work for a big bank now in Boston, and live in Quincy, and sometimes I'll stroll through the area of the "old zone" and remember the "good 'ol days" with my friends in the early 80's. Nothing is left at all of old zone, nothing.Theree is something about the Combat Zone that can never be captured again and is lost forever.

Hi, I too used to frequent the Combat Zone in the early 1960's as a college student. I didn't get into the drugs or strip joint scene but did visit Jerome's, I think before they had strippers there? I remember a group/band on stage there who were attired in combat fatigues as a joke, you know, the combat zone. The area was fascinating, and I actually met some interesting folks there. I am trying to capture the area there from the 60's. Does anyone remember an arcade across the street from Jerome's? The Intermission and the King of Pizza were around and there was a smaller pizza joint next to Jerome's. That is about what I remember but am trying to remember in greater detail.Tina

Wow michelle you remember me on the roster. Kelly , AKA Machine Gun Kelly Collins was a high school buddy I got into the biz... she is very well off and married to an attorney,I have some interesting stories when Iwould hang out with the Venus brothers, Teddy fat brother I forgot name did some pretty slippery stuff.Hedi Jo Starr. Paul JOrdan was my agent.I was in the show Bring back Burlesque, with Silky Silvers my name was Deirdre St. George and I was offered to dance in a show called Good News with Alice Faye and Stubby Kaye, had nice write up in the Globe about my dancing and apparently there is a book about the combat zone of which I am mentioned.Love Panama

Just checked out this blog for the first time in a while. I am still wondering if anybody knows what became of "Lady Tangerine". She used to dance at the Piccadilly Lounge among other places. She used to dance at the Hotel Holly in Lewiston,Maine also. Several years ago the building that housed the Holly blew up in a natural gas explosion. I have a copy of Roswell Angier's "Conversations in The Combat Zone" with photos of Panama Red. Those were the days of many many fond memories.

PEOPLE I REMEMBER FROM THE ZONE!1) The guy that kept tabs on the cash at the Naked Eye. (He looked like the actor Richard Deacon from Dick Van Dyke)2) The waitress at the Naked Eye with big black eighties hair that looked like Suzanna Hoffs)3) Princess Cheyanne (of course)4)The drunk Gino who was on the street every night and looked like he just got punched in the face.5)The Dancer from the Naked Eye named Dorrie Dixie.The Zone!

The Combat Zone's prime was a short one. It came into its own after colorful Scollay Square was raised to make room for the truly hideous Government Center — which, sadly, is still standing to uglify Boston. And The Zone was mostly gone in a decade and a half if that.But I loved it. The pizza place on the corner of Boylston and Washington and several smaller store front stands provided cheap, tasty food to make up for the overpriced drinks in the joints.Roger Pace and his band played the Intermission Lounge, and they were really great. He was around as recently as the early nineties playing alto with a band called The Fantastic Cutters, but sadly, I read that he’s since passed away. I had also read that he was always in hot water with the Boston wiseguys during the sixties. Back then he had teased platinum hair and looked like Wayne Cochrane in need of a good meal. What a showman, though.And if you took the old elevated Orange Line a stop or two south, there were Basin Street South and Louie’s Showcase Lounge where some big name r&b stars occasionally came.By the time my daughter went to college in Boston, none of the places where I hung out at college age were still around. In fact, entire neighborhoods were gone. I found it sad.

I remember strolling the stip in the zone in the early 80's. I recall going to one of the peep shows with a very cheap friend of mine. As it worked you'd put your coin in and the window covering would lift up. There was a small hole located between booths and the dancer would ask you to roll up your bills and slide it through the hole so she'd keep dancing. My friend would keep putting coins in and not bills. Everytime the window would open the dancer would be against the glass giving him the finger. Finally the manager would chase us out. Very funny times. Used drive by LaGrange Street picking up hookers. Great times.

Hi All,Just happened upon this blog.. late one evening, a while back . I am going to respond to most people here. Seems I had worked with at one time.. or met most of you . I worked the zone from 1975-1990.Hi Gary I borrowed the book from the library , just last week. "A kind of life". Just wished it had been a lot more consisive. Good book ,but.. not enough history.Saw several people in there that I had known . Beautiful pic's of Panama Red. I also read Naked is the best disguise. That was some many years ago the author was a good friend of my late cousins wife, of which.. Steven Spielburgh's dreamworks production has aquired sole rights to the script about his lifes story which will be adapted from the book, "State Boy's Rebellion".I have so much to write about my experience with the zone. I am just testing the waters for now. I'll be back with more tales from the city. Life there all evolved around nine degrees of seperation!High energy and good old fashioned raw talent.Thanks for reading . Tangerine

The Tangerine I knew was a tall leggy black girl from Jamaica and was dancing prior to 1975. Most of the dancers who worked at the Hotel Holly in Lewiston, Maine came up from Boston. Are there any of you still out there?

Hi Gary,No I am not that Tangerine.But.. I did work off and on with her for years. By the time I entered into the bussiness, The original Tangerine had retired from dancing. But we did work together she was working the floor as a mixer at the time.I remember when I first met her was at the Piccadily lounge around 1978. the manager there at the time was Stanly. He was a very big gentle guy.And was one of the nicest Manager's around.He died of an apparent heart attack as his house was invaded by would be robbers,sometime in the late 1980's or early 90's. I recall the first time I met Tangerine she came up to me and said in her pretty Jamaican accent ..you stole my name. I told her ok I'll change it to Red Fox. She replied no you keep the name Tangerine it goes well with your color hair.(we got along ok) She was a mysterious woman of sorts very pretty and always conducted herself like a lady. I remember her always dressed in true carribean style. Maybe you knew my cousin Ana Gail? She had been working the zone for some years prior to me.I started my dancing career on the North Shore. The Surf, Jaws, Squires, Golden Banana, Checkmate lounge.I danced lots of various clubs in between , I traveled to Montreal and Quebec,I worked both sides of Niagra Falls.and Toronto also various suburbs of New york as well.I vowed never to work the zone it scared me at the time, My first gig there was at the Pussy cat lounge late 1975 (which some years later the Piccadilly club relocated thier bussiness to) The place scared me, my first night there. By the second night.. just as I was coming through the door for my second evening shift , I looked up on the stage and there was my cousin Ana Gail .I yelled out to her above the loud music,Heh cous!Now! I had some back up.I remember the manager at the time, Carol was'nt too pleased with me as I sat frozen with one customer all night as I nursed one drink. I was so green when it came to mixing, (Short term for hustling drinks)I did put on a good show and the audience really liked me. All I wanted to do was dance, which was a passion of mine. Having said all that.. getting back to the manager Carol . She yelled at me at the end of the night and said what do you think your going to do ? Dance your way to the Waldorf Historia? I replied, YES! five years later, I was partying with the likes of Cher, Michelle Lee.Leslie Uggums,Robert Preston, I shared a dinner table with, Tony Randelle, and Jason Robarbs. Most of these stars are deceased.The late Ann White,& Tommy Tune. I had my picture taken with them all. This was at a Tony awards party at the Waldorf Historia. There were various others, too many to mention.(That was some pretty clever dancing!)I had met a handful of famous people working the zone as well, notorious and otherwise. I was for the most part the headliner every club I worked.I did a scene with John Travolta in the Movie A Cival Action some ten years ago with Robert Duvall in the scene as well.But dont rush out and rent the movie ,it ended up on the cutting room floor. As the production company decided to go back and do an ariel shot of Fenway park.(Lets get back to the Zone.)my first visit there was in 1967.I was all but 14 years old I had accompanied one of my older sisters to the Two O'clock Lounge. She was seeking employment as a go go dancer. She was interviewed by the youngest of the Venus brothers, Teddy.As I sat at the bar and drank a coke.A year later, I was dating a Sax player at the time, I was 15 he was 22. I went with some friends of mine to go and watch his show at the Intermission lounge. I dont recall the name of the band but they did a mean rendition of all the hit songs from the band Blood Sweat & Tears.his name was Kenny Hoar. we made the rounds to a few bars in the Zone that night, Jeromes ,Two O'clock. ending the evening with a night cap and some great chinese food in Chinatown. The Four Seas seemed to be everyones favorite.I'll be back with more tales from the Naked city. Tangerine

I was in Boston in the 70's going to music school. I went down there with a trumpet player named Mac (I saw him on Saturday night live a few years ago) and sat and watched him play with an organist and a drummer. I can't remember if they let me sit in, but I remember watching the ladies dance to the music in front of the curtain. What a scene!

I used to go to the Naked Eye all the time. I still remember the first time someone brought me there in the late 70's. It was a shocking, joyous feeling to walk in off the street and see two naked women at opposite ends of the long bar.I wish I had been around to see the old 2 o'clock, because I heard so many stories.I was devastated when the Naked Eye closed, then they literally tore it down and put up a parking lot. I totally agree with the previous posters that they destroyed a unique moment in time.ck

During the late seventies whenever visiting Boston with my Dad I would always have him drive us through what I called "Chinatown." ;-) As a young boy of 12 or 13 I thought Chinatown was pretty cool, however, the driving force behind my request was witnessing the grittiness of the Combat Zone. Later, in my early twenties I was fortunate enough to venture into the Zone a few times but it had lost all of it's character.Throughout my life I happened upon photos of the Zone from the early seventies and couldn't believe how cool it looked. What a stellar place- I would have been there every weekend if I was old enough. Now, I can't find one single photo anywhere of the old Zone. If anyone has any type of photos of the Combat Zone from the seventies through the mid eighties PLEASE send them along to me. I also welcome any stories, I find all of them fascinating.I've been infatuated by seventies culture my whole life and would really appreciate seeing any photos. (This isn't for a book or anything, just for me to check out.)My address:[email protected]

I was a dancer at the Naked I Cabaret during the early-mid 80's. My first shift, a Wednesday in mid-March, ended at 7:00 PM, when Princess Cheyenne came out on stage and danced her way through a set of Genesis, Kim Carnes, and Cat Stevens. Watching her twirl in a long, flowing blue cape under the black lights, to the song, "She's Got Betty Davis Eyes", I knew that I wanted to reach her level of skill, if not status. She alone was the key influence on my dancing and I credit her with my success during those days. I later left the business when tastes changed from big show style costumes (Hedy Jo!!) and thoughtful themes to Rock Video Chick in a lycra dress, a style that didn't require much thought at all, just nerve enough to lay down on the dance floor and open your legs. Not a bad thing, just a progression of being nude and learning to get as much money as possible while you were on stage. I was delighted when I saw several burlesque troops bringing back the older form of exotic dancing, and wish that I had the body and youth to put myself back up on stage again.Names from back then:Dorie DixonLovely AliciaKendra WildeLolaSkylerChristieSamanthaMisty TropiqueSweet SativaJessica La SavageLinda LamiaBritneyCherelleSue the waitressTony the bartenderRicky the managerTara the djMel, the "owner"and so many more...

I was a Northeastern University student from 1969 to 1973, and made a number of trips to the Zone with friends. For most of that time, we were underage, but managed to get in and have a few beers anyway. We were fascinated with the overall class and allure of the dancers, and while my memory is hazy on a lot of the details, I DO remember Princess Cheyenne. I also remember Gino, a bartender at the Intermission Lounge, as well as a dancer named Midnight Star who danced there. I also remember a dancer named Kat who was from southern New Hampshire and danced at the Naked I if I recall correctly. The ambience of the whole Comabt Zone on a Friday or Saturday night was electrifying to a young kid having his first experience in such an area. I still travel back to Boston from time to time, and it really is sad to see all that life gone out of the area. I wish I had clearer memories of that time; at least the ones I do have will keep The Zone alive for me. I'll have to check to see if I have any pix from back then, which is doubtful. Long live the Combat Zone!!

I frequented the old zone quite often in the 70's and spent a fair amount of time in the old living room lounge as well as the four corners lounge, I became quite friendly with the owners of the living room who now own the squire in revere. I remember an okder mixer in the 4 corners named Angela who had huge tits, all natural I may add that I also had a friendship with. I remember sherry dee as the daytime bartender at the 4 corners, rocky was the evening bartender and elaine was the manager. I still see Joe fiumara at the squire occasionally and norma is still around, peter passed a couple of years ago. I am sure i will remember more as I think about it. i do remember princess cheyene before she took that name, I think she was just starting out then. LaGrange Street was a hoot with all the streetwalkers and pimps strutting their stuff the decked out autos ah it was a good time. Also the small hot dog stand on the corner of lagrange and washington best dog in the city. I'll try and recall some more tidbits.

Note to "Matt" I worked with Gino the bartender at the Piccadilly lounge he was going steady with a dancer by the name of Andrea. 30 years later they are still together . I also worked with her sister Elaine. Although I never worked with Princess Cheyanne. I do believe that she started working the zone in the late 70's -early 80's note to.. "John",I worked with Angela the mixer at the Intermisssion in the early 80"s she was short with black curly hair and wore glasses. She was a nice person. I worked the squire for one show and walked out as I did'nt like Norma at all!! That was late seventies. I worked with Dorie Dixon at the Caribe for quite some time she was best friends with Cathy the waitress there. Dorie was of greek heritage with a heavy Southern accent she hailed from Georgia.She had light curly brown hair and she was more on the tall side.She left the Caribe to work at the Naked I.I worked with Britney at the Piccadilly in "78" then years later at the Pussy cat lounge.There were quite a few dancers, to this day that have left quite a lasting impression in my mind and to whom I give praise to for thier fine tuned unique style and form and thus as an artist allowing me the opportunity to further cultivate my craft by way of choreographing some of thier best moves into my own routine.Some of the best I have had the pleasure to work with are Susan Monterey, Tequela, Donna Lee, Diane Lewis,Little Miss Mickey Martin,Electra 2000,(Charly.. from the Caribe),Julie Jordon ...(Mousetrap,Mid 1970's )Lovie.. Surf in Revere,1975)Miss Reddy Sloan (Golden Banana 1976)There were so many others, they will come to mind at a later time.I'll be back with more "Tails" from the Naked city.Tangerine

I was 19 in 1963, stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, we used to make the trip to Boston when ever we could. The first time the guys took me there, I was a naive kid from Southern New Jersey, small town, three streets. We hit all the clubs on Washington Street. At the Pic-a-Dilly Lounge a young lady approached me, she seemed real nice and friendly, she wanted me to buy her a drink, this never happened to me before and the guys told me to buy her a drink. I bought her a drink, it was nine dollars, the bartender took my twenty, put my change on the bar and she picked up my five and gave it to the bartender as a tip, saying here is something for you , Eddie. I said what the hell was that, with that she said if you are going to use that kind of language I am not drinking with you and she walked way, and Eddie poured out her drink, making a comment, Gotcha. It never happened again, Country boy learned his lesson, but it was worth it.I came back for a visit in the mid 70's with a girl I was dating, just to show he around, she was amazed.I would love to go back againg, but its not the same.

Julie Jordan here. Gee Tangerine you mention that you remember me & I'm sorry I can't picture you! I'm surprised that nobody here has mentioned Flo The MC from the Mousetrap,a petite older Jewish woman. How about Anne Marie, Vanessa (AKA Gypsy who went with Doorman Larry, Jeanie Brooks & what about Onyx, the African American transgendered? Oh what a colorful juicy time, if only I had kept a diary. Would love to hear from any of you!Julie Jordan/Miss [email protected]

since i first got online a few years ago,i have looked for a "combat zone where are they now?" sort of page and this is the closest i've found so far.late 70's-early eighties was my time in the cz.like so many other dancers, i initially bounced around from one club to another..cz,rte 1,canada til settling in the mousetrap for a while(until i got tired of the supposedly narcoleptic louie venus being asleep whenever pay was due...) then i worked at the silver slipper for quite a long time.anyone remember bernadette,the bartender?tangerine, i think i know you...did you ever live in dorchester? you met me when i was calling myself vicky.if anyone knows marlo or barbara,dancers at the silver slipper,in my time, i would love to talk to them again.btw, don't lapdances make pasties and gstrings seem almost quaint?i loved pasties and false eyelashes.

if you worked in the cz in the late 70's and early eighties, you must remember roy dee...talent agent/super sticky sleazeball.three minutes and a google search after i remembered that name, i found this...http://www.roydeeagency.com/he's still in the business.he'd have to be kind of cryptkeeperesque in 2008.after looking at his webpage i'm bewildered."attention dancers..are you tired of paying clubs to work?"..direct quote.wtf,i'm glad i retired from the line of work.Reginap.s. tangerine, did you cousin drive a little red two seat convertible sports car?

Hi, Tangerine: Thanks for the update on Gino. He seemed like a good guy. I'm glad to hear he's still with the same dancer; that bodes well for both of them.Also, I seem to remember going down either Essex St. or Beach St. from Washington St. in the early 1970s, and there was a small storefront window on the right side where girls (prostitutes) would be sitting in the windows and tapping on the glass with quarters to attract passersby. We never took them up on their offers, so I don't know anymore about it. Does anyone else remember the same or similar thing in the CZ area?

Hi Regina,Tangerine here..Yes I'm (OFD)originally from Dorchester born and raised. I left there after 50 years, some time ago.Also.. yes Ana Gail drove a small red two seater sportcar.That was in the early to mid seventies.I worked the Silver Slipper on Boylston street off and on in the mid seventies. I worked there the same time Billy Bennett was bartending also Donna Lee,Bernadette,Christine.I'm sorry I dont remember you. Could you rattle my brain with some instances or a conversation we might have had? I look forward to hearing back from you. Thank's .Tangerine

so long ago, tangerine, remembering's not easy. i think i first met you at a place in boston outside the cz named something like cantaloni's. the place was trying out a topless format.wore pastie's though. kind of modest by the standards of today.if i remember correctly we were both new to the biz.ran into you off and on..the squire (it was sandy shore,funny lady stripper at the squire, not sandy beach as someone else posted earlier.sandy was ofd too), silver slipper (though i think you worked nights),walking from field's corner station towards dix street.you always called me vicky even though i had used the name for only a few months when i first started dancing. in fact when i met you, you were not yet calling yourself tangerine though i'm not positive what name you were using. i do have a few maybes bouncing aroung my head though.remember alan a bartender at the silver slipper...dark curly hair, big '70's mustache, cute smile? or maryanne at the mousetrap,tended back bar,little redhead,wore a cap, pigtails and hotpants and was a sweatheart. that's something that i wouldn't say about many of the bartenders around back then.so any bells ringing?hope to ttyl,Reginaa p. s. to jeff.....was gtc's on lagrange street?

Hi Regina,Caltonis! The stage was flush with the floor , there was a little old Italian lady who would serve us food through a little window from the kitchen. The place was Stripbar/Italian restraunt. There was a customer that looked just like the Indian on the back of an old nickel. He would always give me presents of Indian artifact. I still have a tiny moccassin he gave me.Surprised to know Sandy Shore was from Dorchester. My cousin AnaGail took me to see her show at the Squires. She was great!! The crowd loved her.Very funny and very high energy.I lived on the corner of Adams & Dix streets for years. I think we used to by pass each other around the old niehborhood from time to time. But I still can't place you.So much was going on back then. Not like a 9-5 were you see the same people all the time.If it helps any.. I look a lot like Susan Sarandon.Talk with you again! Tangy

In answer to your question in regards to Susan Monterey. I had worked woith her on and off at various clubs in Boston for many years. She was one of the last of some of the best dancer performers to grace the stage. She also had a part in the hit tv show, Spencer for Hire back in the mid 80's.The production crew filmed the outside of the Naked I for its opening scene . But she was actually filmed dancing on the stage in the Pussy cat lounge.She was beautiful!If I did know where she was I would not indulge that information.Sorry.BTW would you by any chance be the Tom who once managed the Club66? When Arthur Venus owned it.(1982)

Hi Tangerine,
Thanks for replying to my post.
No, I am not that Tom.
I was friendly with Susan for a while.
In fact, I believe Susan and I met you at a restaurant on Newbury prior to work one evening.
I just wanted to hear that she was well if you knew.
Thanks, Tom.

Please please write to me privately at [email protected] - Susan was like a kid sister to me & it was me that brought her into the business. I have wished I could reconnect with her all these years but have no idea how. Is there any info you can share with me? anything at all?

I recently ran into Susan through a mutual friend. She is now 52 living in The Fenway area of Boston. She looks great, wacky as ever in a good way. She has had surgieries on her foot, a result of someone pulling her while she was dancing. Other than a slight limp she is doing well, and seems to have settled in Boston after a brief stint in Florida. She does'nt remember everyone but when we spotted one another we immediately recognized each other before our friend could re-introduce us.

If you ever read this please please help me get a message to Susan. I first met her while attending The Actor's Workshop in Kenmore Square. It was me who introduced her to work in the zone. I took her into The Mousetrap where I worked as Julie Jordan. It would mean the world to me to be able to reach her.

I found Susan a couple of years ago and we chatted by phone. She sounded very whacked out and possibly high.. sounded like a street person. sounded like someone who never really escaped the zone life.. said her apartment was the size of a shoe box. her words were slurred and I just felt so sorry for her. I'm sure I sounded judgmental instead of compassionate, which I am sorry about now. and that is why she stopped staying in touch. My bad.

I have been wondering about her too, we were friends and worked together for several years. We were both "headliners". I went by Demian, had very long hair, loved to dance, but could not do that amazing leg lift (split) that Suzanne was famous for. Wondering if the email addresses here are still good. was glad to hear Peter and Joey went on to own the place in Revere. Bernadette was the bartender at the Living Room when I was there. rather nasty. Unlike the dancers were all super nice. [email protected]
Cheers everyone.
Dawn

Lorraine and I were best friends and I still miss her and think of her. We went to high school together at Framingham north. Walked to school everyday... and skipped sometimes. I was just going through some of her letters today.
Eventually we both ended up in the strip clubs. She was a beautiful artist and a true friend. I live in Florida now...

I worked the Zone back in the early 80's, starting when I was 17yrs old. What memories this blog is bring back; the Pussy Cat Lounge, Liberty Book Store and the Peep Shows, The Carib Lounge, Boston Bunnies. I remember the Venus Brothers and some of the women mentioned. This is where I really grew up and learned many lessons which actually have benefitted me in career today which has nothing to do with dancing. Looking back is like watching a movie, so many lives ago.

I lived in the CZ in 1969 and shared experiences with the vice squad on several occasions. I recount a few of these in my book, Lovers, Muggers & Thieves - A Boston Memoir. If your Dad is still with us he may enjoy this story, and perhaps he will see a little of himself in the pages of my book.

I had a friend that worked the Venus Bros club. I last saw her there in 75 -76 (?) Real name of Linda Axsom. She was from Bloomington, Indiana. I ran a gun and leather shop there with a partner, Tom.
I have been trying to find her for several decades. Last talked to her in 1980 or 81 on the phone. Don't recall the particulars but I recall the love of my good friend. We had a mutual friend in Richard Campbell, a former BF of hers.

hi ms tangerine.my name is max i worked in the teddy bear lounge from 1971 to 1973. i tended bar for big al and later for george tecchi .i was going to school and some of the gals were a big help to me .do you know dusty davis,candy heart or chantell caprice or do you know of a way to locate them .any help would b appreciated..max

Max,sorry I don't recall any of the dancers you mentioned. Maybe?..just a little bit before my time. Though I would like to share a story here pertaining to an incident that happened at the Caribe lounge early 80's.

As I was sitting at the end of the bar waiting to go onstage for my 3rd show of the evening. I was dressed to the nines in my beautiful Southern Belle costume, and passing the time by way of my indulgement with a piece of fruit . And yes, it was a tangerine.A customer who just came in sat down next to me. He seemed like a perfectly nice man. So we became engaged in a little bit of chit chat and he offered me a drink. He asked the most mundane question. Which was, (are you a cousin of orange?) I threw a charitable laugh his way. Then he asked if I would share a piece of my tangerine with him. I obliged. As I was ready to pass it to him he grabbed my breast.

I immediately shoved that tangerine so hard in his face he just about fell off his stool, then I literally chased him out the door. Just as this was all unfolding my boss Leo happened to just walk in, and yelled far above the glaring loud music..TANGERINE!! YOUR [email protected]#!&NG FIRED!! Ah.. Leo always right to the point. Such a colorful character. Now I wonder if that customer looks at tangerines in a whole new perspective? Or a lesson learned, don't grab a( tangerine peeling) womans breast. Or you just might be running out into the nights darkness with pulp all over your face. I wonder what his wife must have been thinking ..Hmm.. I've heard of lipstick on your collar, but..pulp? Oh, and honey while your out pick up some tangerines. Awe.. those were the day's, such lighthearted fun. Good thing for me he was a wimp!

Hello, Kendra here, Kendra Wild, Wow you brought back so many memories. I sometimes have dreams, Ricky put me on the list, two dances at least. I had my name up in lights for awhile till I cut my hair short. Mel was not down with that. All us girls, try to remember more named. Brittany, the boy turned girl.
I'm now living my dream ,, own a horse farm, train event horses but, damn. put me back on the stage, w/this knee replacement I could do it again!!

Somehow I managed to 'feature' at the Naked I , the first and only time the name Kendra Wild was up in lights. What a time it was, the music scene was outrageous .When I wasn't dancing I was at the Rat, the Ratskeller in Kenmore Square..
All My buddies went to Rehab, some are underground. My boyfriend, Doug, from Rock bands such as France and others is clean and sober for 20 years now. Incredible, remember Joel the bartender, he e'mail a while back informing he was writing a book @ the Naked I.. I hope he does because it was the best, the best time. The Combat Zone will ever be embedded, I will always be awestruck a kid like me could hang out there, dance, party and dig life before things got too wild.
I'm now a horse trainer and competitor on TB race horse, Couldn't ever give up the adrenalin rush

Hi Fern, I think I remember... The Priest who used to frequent the joint,,Father something.. Spent all the Church's cash.. after awhile he was sent back to Italy. Funny, reading these posts brings back memories I had long forgotten.. I was a feature attraction named 'Kendra Wilde', worked in the early 80's, went punk and Mel stripped my title. I remember Dancers.. Charlie, Chicki, some short lived, others, like me, a way of life.. Snorting coke thru 100$ bills, ... Oh, and the long haired 'Karen' , didn't a famous wrestler/boxer buy her drinks often? Mel had good taste to say the least,,, the girls were absolutely gorgeous, and treated well. We wore 'gowns' even tho mine was a sleazy red long silk slip. I believe the Jewish Mafia had control of the Naked I. correct me if I'm wrong.. seemed every mafioso in the book frequented the place, and probably every other strip club in the vicinity. I roomed w/Chanelle, would love to know how she's doing, smart, creative type. I vividly remember the DJ's, can't remember their names..anyhoo, please refresh memories.
What a time to have experienced...

I too have some very fond memories of the zone. I remember Rice very well went out with her several times in the late seventies(right around the blizzard of 78) and early eighties. She was a real sweet heart and she was really great fun to be with. I found out later , and I don't know how true it is that she wasn't Japanese but Korean not that it makes much difference. Like I said she was a real sweetheart. I often wonder what ever happened to her. I also had some good times with a chubby blonde named Tina and her girl friend Lisa who was a tall brunette with a head full of chestnut curls that had to be around 84 or so. I would really love to see any of these ladies again. if for no other reason than just to say hi

Wow......yes,I dated Rice frequently,and we became pretty good friends.I often wondered what happened to her.One person told me that she married a man of wealth and moved to California.She was a sweetheart.I also remember the little cutie named Susie who was Chinese.

Going thru all the postings on this web site and by gosh and by golly up pops Rice"s name.I to dated Rice and we saw each other socially every now and then.Do you know her real name? She was a real beauty,and with a kind heart.Im not surprised she married to a wealthy person. I know of two others who id simlair things.Im looking to write a memior about "the zone" cicra 74/78 proably its hey day,before all those drugs came along.

I bartended at the Naked i from about 1980 until 1985. Was an occasional visitor to some of the other clubs. LOVED the Pink Pussycat best. I'm sure we met, although I don't remember. Who can? It's such a blur. :-) Get back to me if you want. Joel

I was a waitress at the Intermission Lounge in the mid sixties along with Dottie, Gail, Mary and Stacie. Those were the days!! I was married to the lead singer of the Hot Tamales. We were good friends of Roger Pace and his girlfriend at the time, Yvette! Good times! Don't know how I got to be 75!!!

Hi John,
I don't remember your name but I am sure our paths must have crossed many times. I am a retired Boston cop and spent a ton of time in the zone and the places you mentioned. I knew the Veneis brothers well. I also knew George Tecchi and Bucky. When I think of the Teddy Bear I remember one dancer named Karen DeVoe who I helped when she was being stalked by some screwball. And a very attractive black girl who used to dance to "Satin doll." That might have been her stage name but her real first name was Francine. Those were fascinating days. Anyway just wanted to say hello.
regards
Billy Dwyer

hey bill im glad you never got me. i was under age back in 79 when i use to go to the pussy cat!!!! lol lol i was a 17 year old black kid with money.im not sure if you ever work the beat at the pussy cat.lol

Hi Tangerine,
I don't really remember you but apparently our paths must have crossed many times. Some of the girls you mention I knew very well....Suzanne Monterrey, Diane Lewis, Tequila (with her python), Mickey Martin. You must remember Carol Brisbane who was night manager of the Pussycat and had been around for years. I was a Boston cop and spent a lot of time in the zone and subsequently in and out of all the clubs.
Do you have any old pictures of you during that time? I am curious if I knew you.
best regards
Billy Dwyer

What a great place that was. Unfortunately, it seemed to have "exploded and burned" mysteriously. Then the city seized it. The city of Lewiston has seized a lot if not all the property on lower Main STREET AND MUCH OF IT ON LINCOLN STREET. I wonder what their plans are? Maybe more parking garages. I really miss the Holly. Used to go in there when I was 16. Was one of those safe places for a young man to gain an education about the worldly parts of life.

John my godfather was Joe Balliro,owner of the intermission.My father is "Jesse",if you managed or were any part of the intermission you would remember the doorman/bouncer with the black moustache,hard right and good heart.I agree with your perspective because I remember counting out dimes from the cologne machines and all the things that fell off a truck.I also know that all the things the gov. deemed illegal( high interest loans,gambling)are the MA. lottery , fannie mae and chase etc.. now.If you are not fullashit I'd like to shoot the shit with ya,Thanks,Jimmy T.....P.S. Don't fuckin bother if you are or have anything to do with the scumbag feds who were just as bad and aided real criminals like whitey or any wannabe journalist.Other than that I'd like to share stories

Jesse was or IS your Dad?
He was a GOOD friend of mine and watched my back. I was a go-go dancer back in the days (late '60s) of live bands at the Intermission Lounge. I was hired and fired about 13 times by Joe cuz I wouldn't mingle and didn't drink. Jesse ALWAYS stuck up for me and he was the BEST the Zone had to offer amongst the Yyyyyguys, if one needed a friend.

Hi Tangerine,,, I remember Scott very well, we became good friends, Scott was the kind of guy that made you feel welcomed every time you walked through the door, Great guy! ..Where ever he is i wish him all the best,, Tangerine, do you remember Pumpkin? ..the African American girl, she also worked at the Caribe, mid 80's,, ..The Intermission was great! ..Big Jack and Bobby P were the Bartenders every time i was there, Two great guys that always kept you coming back, not to mention the beautiful dancers! ..A far away place indeed,, miss it!

I remember your Dad well. I was dating a girl from Lowell Mass. whose father was Manny Bello. He was an aquaintence of Joe's. Manny owned a place called the Celebrity Lounge in Lowell. Long story short I drove Manny to Boston to meet Joe and I waited at the bar and had a drink with Jesse. Really got along good with him and returned quite a few times to have a drink with him. Great people!!!!!!Loved his gravely voice and sense of humor. Best person I ever saw put a drunk outside and still have the guy come back again, unless he didn't want him back. That was another story. One tough prick.

Was there at age 18 played pool at bonds&downstairs Olympia.hung out at the silver dollar new izzy ort was there when the train blew up corn or of wash&bolt.dirty movies at the trans lux.hot dogs at dirty johns bikers at the novelty lounge roger pace at the intermission lounge.walked up to the hillbilly ranch a few bars down wash st.bay village few hotels bars on Lagrange st.whole area has changed not. For the good had character back then.cold t in China town

hahaha...the guy who looked like the Dick van Dyke guy was Geoffrey, the son of the old owner before he died of cancer. Geoff took over, along with Lambos Venas until the club closed New Year's Eve, 1994.

There were two waitresses who resembled Susanna Hoffs. One was really tall, the other was a little shorter. The tall one stayed until the club closed. The shorter one, no idea where she went, but she left years before that.

Dorie Dixon. Wow, now that's pulling a name from way back! No idea what happened to her either. She did get her certificate in hairdressing, though.

Gino: we heard that he died some time back.

Cheyenne: her name pops up from time to time on the news or in the papers. I'm sure you can find more info on google.

I was in the Navy back then. I would go to the combat zone whenever I got the chance-every weekend lol. I went to the Pink Pussycat, The Two O'Clock..others..Mousetrap...Piccadilly...had such a great time there...talked to Julie from the Mousetrap she married a musician from an acapella group..is his manager now...I have many fond memories from that time..Barbarella at the Pink Pussycat.."Vampira she came in a coffin" from the "world famous two o'clock showcase of stars etc"
Write back sometime if you wish.

I was in the Navy in Boston from 1967-1969 and for a while I used to hang out at the Garden of Eden. The manager was Larry Messina, a real nice guy who always made me feel welcome. There was a bartender named Richie---also a nice guy, who would slip me a free drink once in a while. I dated a dancer whose stage name was "Tootsie Roll" (Elaine Paul)occasionally. She ended up marrying a guy called "Ace," and went back to Canada.
The Combat Zone used to be one of the safest places in Boston for a young person to have a good time. I'm glad to see that most of the girls that worked there moved on and did well. Now we're getting old and we still have our memories of the carefree days of youth that we all shared in the Combat Zone.
Take care, and the very best to you always.

the pussycat washington street in the 70 s was a common trip for my immediate family, i was about 3 or 4 at the time and my grandfather Joe Balliro owned the Intermission exactly on the other side of washington, i found pics online, im Paulieboy Jr., My dad ran that street for the first 9 years of my life.....than he came home and we got out of that place before his kids got into the family buiness....lol. Ima look for some pics for you, from what i remember lots of neon 10 ft 0ff washington

My x-husband, Tommy Cass (Casserly) played base for Steve Colt and the 45's in the 60'sMy x-husband, Tommy Cass (Casserly) played base for Steve Colt and the 45's in the 60's. Dario would come and take our daughter Tracey to eat pizza a lot. She would love to find him someday. We came across this when she asked me today to see if I could locate Dario. The Combat Zone, how much fun we had!! What great music!!. Dario would come and take our daughter Tracey to eat pizza a lot. She would love to find him someday. We came across this when she asked me today to see if I could locate Dario. The Combat Zone, how much fun we had!! What great music!!

hi my name is fran bishop i played drums with dario and the rainbows when tommy played bass with the group.the last i heard about dario was that that he was working for harley davidson possibly in worchester ma. i'm not sure of that but that's what i was told.i have a picture from back then but i don't have anyway to send it.

WOW! I was working on tommy's family tree and hadn't even remembered that I wrote this! I came across it just now and saw there was a reply. I hope this reaches you! I would love to hear from you! If my email does not show up it is [email protected]. JOEY

Hi !
I have been looking to reach out to any of steve colts band members....I did a recording with them called A CASUAL LOOK.....if you could PLEASE help me out I would be so happy !!!!!!
Thanks for time! :-)
Cheryll Ann

Dario Lives In Leominster Mass, I seen him a few years ago at the classics pub, I was doing some karaoke and he walked In, I had a show band back In the day and hung out with Dario doing gigs down the cape and In Boston, He went home and grabbed some old promo pictures, we had a good laugh,il try to find his address and phone number as he only lives about mile from me,

My experience with the Combat Zone was a little different.I knew the Venus Brothers,Paul Jordan was my Dad's best friend and I use to go with my Dad and sit at the bar during the day at such places as The Caribe,Four Corners,Intermission,Teddy Bear Lounge talking to the bartenders,picking horses for the bookies and going home with whatever "fell off the truck" that day!In all these comments about the Combat Zone I'm surprised no one mentioned my Dad,Dick Delmont!He owned the Caribe,Four Corners,The Attic and way back the El Morroco with Louis Di Bella.

Louie D'B started the Golden Banana in W. Peabody. El Morocco had dancers like Gina, Carioca.
Joann Sherwood. Band was usually Mike Sarkissian's. Safe place, good drinks. I used to take many visiting firemen there,

Hello,
I am trying to get some family history pieced together and noticed your dad owned the Carib in the 60's. My Grandfather Mike Baker owned the Carib from the 40's to 59 but it was called Checkered Lounge - is what I have heard. He also owned Jeffrey's Lounge I believe on Washington and Stuart Street. I am trying to get information of a dancer who worked the club in the early 50's and had a child in August of 54- Big Red or Rusty would be the dancer. If anyone remembers or has photos of the dancers or the Carib before the 60's, it would be greatly appreciated to show my Dad.

Came across this site looking for info on clubs in the Combat Zone.My experience was a little different then everybody else on here.I did know Paul Jordan most of my life as he was a close friend and former partner of my Dad's.Also knew the Venus brothers,George Tecchi,Satin Doll,Flo the MC and many others.My Dad would sit me on a stool during the day in the Caribe and George Silva or Nick the bartenders used to let me eat all the fruit.I used to pick the horses for the bookies,go on trips to Rexalls with "The Girls" and learn to make pasties!Not to mention get my pick of whatever fell off the truck that day.My Dad was Dick Delmont.He ran the Caribe,Four Corners,The Attic,Intermission,you name it!I definitely remember a lot of the names mentioned.
'

My biological father was Paul Jordan the Boston area booking area that booked all the the acts into the Combat Zone nightclubs. Phil Allen was my father, he was a comedian and bartender in the area for many, many years. I remember the Venus brothers. I used to go with my father (Paul Jordan)to Teddy Venus' office when he went to get paid. Was my father your agent by any chance? I would like to hear any stories about those days that you would like to share.

Wow -- I am so fascinated and I want you guys to put this together for a book! I started dancing out of grad school at the Naked Eye and man I was naive, and I will never regret what I got out of that place! I do remember Teddy -- who "hired" me -- and so many others....I was at the tail end, when it was about to close down....and I heard how it wasw "back in the day." I will always have fond memories of the whole area, the Combat Zone -- it was my school more than grad school EVER was

Wow ohh Wow is this The Angela from good time charlies intermission lounge,and harrys bar.She lived during that time on beacon hill off cambridge st.She all class all the time,a real knock out.And I found her to be the hooker with a heart of gold.Ive heard shes married now,to some wealthy man.Gosh I wish I could see her one more time

sounds like a familar story you wouldn't you happen to be from middleboro would you, share a very similar exsperience and memories great rite of passage few can understand these days unless you grew up in late 70's early 80's

Wow I remember that place and I danced there up until the night it closed. I remember Teddy and Larry and wow....what was that big guy's name...cannot remember it for now. I miss it for real! I was Virginia and our dj was formerly a dancer named Scarlett. Anyone else remember me??? And for all those who worked there before my time, it's a bond for life if you've ever been there!!! I hope the best for all of you.

I worked as a trumpet player, in the Downtown Lounge in late 1969 or 1970, with a group from Evansville, Indiana. We were the only white guys in the club - booked for a week, which turned into more than a month - as we could not get paid and had to stay there, living on Revere Beach, eating pizza everyday. It could be a dangerous place, but after the first night - and in time we were considered true brothers in the neighborhood. Two bands worked every night - soul music. Finally one of the brothers helped us escape, by bringing out our equipment early one morning and I was happy to make my way by bus, back to Mpls and my wife. Tony Venus had the power there.

Does anyone remember Topsy? He was a drummer, bookmaker former "leg breaker" who played the 2 o'clock? Just found this site looking for Teddy Venus. Worked the clubs late 60's through 74. Teddy was very good to me. Recognize so many names with found memories. Topsy is probably long "passed". Still trying to find my old friend No No Nannette from Baltimore. She was friends with Jerri Dean. If anyone knows where she is please respond. Teddy actually paid my way through nursing school. Benny and I worked the door. It was 2 for Teddy and 1 for us. It paid for my education. I visited him right up until early '80's. Have had a wonderful career and life thanks in so many ways to him. Some of the best days of my youth.

Anyone know what ever happened to Joanie the waitress? She worked at the Pussycat from at least the late 70s to early 80s. About 5 8 brunette good figure pretty and classy. Looked Irish. She kinda saved my ass one night.

I rember the Intermission Loungr well and its many "freindly" coustomers. Im trying to write a memior about "the Zone" from about 1974 to 1978. The loungre was one of my favorites. Any help writing the memior would be great.

You're not going to believe this, but one night, in the late 60s, or 70s, a group of friends and I were at the Pilgrim and saw you. I had never seen a stripper before, and I was at once horrified and intrigued. Your act was great, and your gown was beautiful. Ironically, 12 years later, I became a dancer at the 'I' and then, a costume designer. Because of you, maybe?

Boston Combat Zone Reunite Here on Facebook is something I started for people to share stories and reconnect... Scarlett made the best costumes... I also fondly remember the chain mail costume I bought from Lady Linda LaMae...

For more information on the Combat Zone in the 50s, 60s, and 70s refer to The Passage, authored by Phillip Vitti, a Boston undercover cop.
Published in 2012 and is available online from Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com, available also as an e-book.

This is a true account of my undercover years on the Boston Police which spanned a decade. It provides an intimate account into the 60s culture from the Combat Zone to social turbulence of the 60s era.

Dear Panama Red I would love to interview you for research that I am doing while putting together the Screenplays/scripts for the TV show I am writing called the COMBAT ZONE. Would you be willing to talk to me in this regards? please EMAIL me if you can [email protected]